Hunters: Poaching is against the law

Poaching! The dictionary describes poaching as hunting or fishing illegally, to take anything by unfair or illegal methods. It might be understandable if someone poached an animal because they were hungry and there was nothing else to eat, but that doesn't seem to be the case for modern-day poachers. They seem bent on the destruction and pure waste of precious wild game animals to be respected at all times, even when we hunt them with great care. In some cases for the trophy realized but most times for the meat to be put on the table — legally.

It seems there must be more ways for hunters who do their best to be legal to prevent useless waste by the poachers. There is. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times when traveling or while in the field, even if you overhear someone bragging or relaying the story of what has taken place. Each of us should be alert to what might be going on around us, legal or illegal. If it's illegal, don't hesitate — let it be known. Poachers are stealing from every citizen of Arizona. It's wrong and it's against the law.

Another poaching has taken place near Flagstaff. Game and Fish guesses it happened possibly just before the opening of the archery elk season on Sept. 12 or 13 in Unit 11M. A bull elk was shot twice with a high-powered rifle and left to waste.

Arizona Game and Fish wildlife manager Erin Brown hopes that someone may have been in the area or overheard a conversation about this incident and not even realize they may have enough information for Game and Fish to use to bust the poachers. Get on the phone if you think of something (anything) concerning a possible illegal poaching to the OGT Hotline at 1-800-342-07 or online at www.azgfd.gov/thief. Let's stop the poachers in their tracks. A $2,500 reward may be available for information leading to arrest in this elk case No. 12-0001993.

Hunt happenings

• Time to apply is now: If you want to get in on a 2013 spring hunt for turkey, javelina, buffalo or bear, you should purchase your 2013 hunting license and get your application in before the Oct. 9 deadline. Online application service is available. Check the spring regulations for hunt numbers and other necessary information.

• Refuse to be a Victim Class is Oct. 6 (for ladies): Sign-up today at Sprague's Sports. It's $29 for the excellent non-firearms street safety awareness class. Call 726-0022.

• Forest Travel Management Restrictions: The Kaibab National Forest announced on Sept. 18 it had issued its final travel management plan to designate roads, trails and areas for motorized use on the North Kaibab Ranger District. There is a 45-day appeal period. Implementation of travel management rules on the Kaibab Plateau is expected to begin in January 2013.

The Game and Fish Department has not had the opportunity to fully review the decision document and selected alternative. During the process of providing input and comment to the forest, the department has supported some elements of the plan but expressed concerns about others, including proposed restrictions on motorized retrieval of legally taken downed big game as well as some of the proposed camping restrictions.

Regarding forest travel management plans in general, the department has serious and ongoing concerns about restrictions that are in excess of what is needed to protect the resource and which unnecessarily deny outdoor recreation opportunities. The Arizona Game and Fish Department strongly advocates for a reasonable approach that allows for motorized game retrieval for a wide range of big game species and that provides access for hunters, anglers, campers, and other wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy their forests.

• Applicants sought for Arizona Game and Fish Commission: The Governor's Office is accepting applications for the 2013 appointment to the commission, with applications being accepted through Oct. 12. They can be submitted online at www.azgovernor.gov/BC/Application07.asp. Members must be well informed on the subject of wildlife and the requirements for its conservation. In accordance with state statute, the commission is required to maintain political balance, therefore, applicants for this vacancy may not be registered Republican. Also no two members may be from the same county. Since the commission currently has members from Apache, Maricopa, Navajo and Pima counties, residents of those counties may not apply for this opening. Residents of Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai and Yuma counties are eligible to apply.

The Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board assists the governor by interviewing, evaluating and recommending candidates. The board can recommend at least two, but no more than five candidates to the governor. The governor must select and appoint a commissioner from the list submitted by the board. For further information, call the Governor's Office of Boards and Commissions at 1-602-542-2449 or toll-free at 1-800-253-0883. For more information about the Game and Fish Commission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission. For information about the office of the governor, visit www.azgovernor.gov.

• Junior Quail and Small Game Camp 2012: Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club with the assistance of Game and Fish personnel is planning the camp in Unit 41 near Dateland on Oct. 20-21. Youngsters and parents should sign up prior to the camp with the Yuma Regional Office of Game and Fish. Call 342-0091 or call Chris Bedinger at 341-4045 or email Chris at cbedinger@azgfd.gov. A refundable $40 registration fee (returned upon arrival at the camp) will include meals for one junior and one adult. Mentors are needed to assist the kids on their weekend hunt, with parents or other responsible adult participation needed as well. Let Game and Fish know you are willing to assist so necessary paperwork can be filled out beforehand.

Shooting sports

• Youngsters Shooting Sports: Scholastic Clay Target Practice at the Adair Park Trap and Skeet Range is 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays on Oct. 10, 17 and 24 with Saturday practice at noon Oct. 6 and Oct. 20 at the range. For information, call Gary Knight at 210-0805. For information on Yuma Young Guns for ages 9-25, call head coach H. McNutt at 314-0179, coach John Gross at 580-4836 or coach Wes Burch at 580-4495, for information on shotgun shooting sports as well as the clay target shooting program. 4-H members who would like to get into the shooting sports can call Stanley Gourley at 344-0740 or the 4-H office at 726-3904. For the Venture boys and girls Shooting Program, call Yuma-area Boy Scouts at 782-1896.

• Yuma-area archery for all ages: Shoot the trail of 3D target animals with Renegade Archers at 7:30 a.m. Sundays at the Foothills Archery Range located east of Foothills Blvd. up against the Gila Mountains, south side of I-8. Directions: Take the south Frontage Road from I-8 at south Foothills Blvd., drive 2 miles east to Avenue 15E, turn right and drive south 1 mile just past the Golf Range pond on the right. Turn left (east) at the Archery Range signs and follow the dirt road to the range. Adult fees $3, with youngsters always free, free use of equipment by request prior to the shoot. A great opportunity for both youngsters and adults to learn how to shoot archery or for experienced archers to get in the needed practice. Call Jean or Kevin Wilson at 247-4450 or 726-0953.

• Southwest Bowhunters at Adair Park: Archery shoots at 7 a.m. Sundays at the Adair Park range with the practice range open all week. Call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.

• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays at Adair Park. Call Gary Knight at 210-0805.

• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: Open black powder matches at 8:30 a.m. 1st and 3rd Saturdays each month at Adair Park. Call Dennis Hansel at 342-7573.

• Cholla Gun Club: Open .22 Rifle and Pistol Silhouette “Fun” Matches at 8:30 a.m. Fridays at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range. Call Rick or Glenda at 502-0736.

• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: For shooting information, call Paul Lerma at 783-6766 or Gerald Brooker at 305-9681.

• Yuma Matchmasters: For information on the Oct. 14 Open IPSC Combat Match, call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.

Fishing clubs

• Desert Bass Anglers “The Fun Way to Fish”: Open Team Tournament is Oct. 6 with sign-up 45 minutes prior to safe light that morning at Fisher's Landing. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984. Fish the first tournament as a non-member, after that membership is $15 ($10 each additional family members), with reasonable tournament fees.

• Yuma ProAm Series: Check online at Bob@yumaproam or call Bob La Londe at 580-1270 for latest results or details on upcoming tournaments. Pay the $15 membership and reasonable entry fees online as well.

• Wednesday Jackpot Derby at Fisher's Landing: Entry $5 with sign-up at 8 a.m. at the gas dock. Weigh-in around 1 p.m. with the winner taking all for one big fish, any species. Also fish the Swede Ferguson Memorial Bass Derby each month with $10 sign-up anytime during the month at Fisher's. Winner takes all for biggest bass determined the last day each month. Call Jimmy Phipps at 782-2207.

• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: John Nicewander and Rich Bean teamed up to fish the First-Ever Cats and Carp Slimfest Tournament, winning first place with 30 pounds of fish while Jonathan and his dad David Parrish weighed in 3 pounds of fish for their efforts. It was a tough night on the water, but a good time was had by all who fished.

• MCAS Recreation Area: Call Mike Castello at 783-3422 to learn about fishing, camping and other outdoor activities open to Yuma area military and families at Martinez Lake/Colorado River.

• Bass Class on the Water: To learn how, when and where to catch bass at local waters in all seasons and conditions in the Yuma area with a bass boat and all equipment provided, call Dave Willhide at 782-2621. Ask about seminars available for RV parks and home groups.

Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@gmail.com or call 247-4450.